Page 32

Matthias

Waking up on top of Margot feels sweeter than usual. I lingered, savoring her warmth. The soft rise and fall of her chest, the way her body molds against mine. It’s enough to make me consider staying in bed all day.

But work waits for no one, and if I don’t leave now, I’ll spend the morning buried in her.

Still, I can’t fight my good mood.

When I walk in the kitchen to make our coffees, Dotty stares at me like I’ve grown a second head. She eyes me for all of two seconds before asking, “What’s gotten into you?”

I smirk, unable to suppress the satisfaction curling in my chest. “Just had a good night.”

Dotty gives me a once-over. Then, to my absolute horror, she mutters under her breath, “I’m sure it wasn’t just a good night of sleep .”

I nearly choke on my coffee.

Dotty has been like a second mother to me my entire life, and never, not once, has she ever said anything remotely crude. The mere suggestion of her thinking about my sex life is enough to make me want to throw myself into traffic.

Taking my silence as unwitting confirmation, she continues.

“Finally winning over that girl.”

I huff a laugh. If only she knew how I won her over.

“She’s a good girl.”

I smirk. Dotty doesn’t know just how untrue that is. But that’ll change. Margot will be a very good girl for me from now on if she wants to avoid another lesson like last night.

Dotty isn’t finished though.

“You’re lucky she’s giving you a shot after how you got her here,” she says, leveling me with a pointed glare. “Don’t screw it up.”

What the hell?

Since when does she favor Margot? I’ve always been Dotty’s favorite. How did Margot even win her over?

I frown but keep my voice even. “I won’t, Dotty.” My tone comes out steadier than I expect. “She’s not like the other girls. She’s it for me.”

The moment I say it, I know it’s true.

Margot’s the only woman for me.

Dotty seems satisfied. “Good. Now go bring her that coffee.” She waves me out of the kitchen like I’m a meddling child.

I blink. Did I just get kicked out of my own kitchen?

Dotty and I always have our morning conversations. She’s never shooed me away before.

By the time I reach our bedroom, I’ve already forgotten about Dotty. My focus shifts entirely to Margot.

I’m not sure how she’ll react after last night .

At dinner, she was docile. She let me pull her against me in bed without protest. But that doesn’t mean she isn’t still angry about the audiobook thing. Or even the orgasm denial.

Or maybe, just maybe, she feels the same way I do. That last night brought us closer.

I’m hoping it’s the latter.

When the smell of coffee reaches her, she stirs. She slowly sits up, her hair a tangled mess.

Fuck, she’s beautiful.

“Morning.” She mutters, her voice hoarse and sleepy.

My lips twitch. She’s too cute.

“Good morning, sweetheart.” I hold up the mug. “I brought you something.”

Her eyes light up, as if this isn’t our daily routine.

My chest tightens.

Does she not realize I’ll bring her coffee every morning for the rest of our lives?

I settle on the bed beside her, still treading lightly.

“I’ve got some work to do,” I tell her, “but I have time for lunch.” I don’t actually have the time, but I’ll make some for her.

She nods sleepily, still rubbing the drowsiness from her eyes. I hold the coffee just out of sight. The first sip will jolt her awake.

“I was also thinking we could watch another movie after dinner.” I add, keeping my tone casual. “How does that sound?”

She lets out a sleepy “Mhmm. Sounds good.”

I smirk. She has no idea what just she agreed to.

But that doesn’t matter.

In my book, this is our second date.

I press a kiss to her forehead, then hand over the coffee.

Walking out of our bedroom, I feel lighter than I have in weeks .

If I’d known the key to Margot’s obedience was between her legs, I would’ve had her long before now.

But I’m not going to give her a reason to regret last night. Tonight, she’s going to learn exactly how I treat her when she’s a good girl.

And I’m not going to fuck it up.